Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Withdraw PDS price hike: Jayalalithaa

Staff Reporter

Says Centre's decision to "put on hold" means temporarily stayed

CHENNAI : Reiterating her demand that the price of rice under the public distribution system should not be increased, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday said the Centre putting on hold its decision to increase the price and reduce the allocation of rice for each cardholder did not mean that the proposal had been withdrawn.

"The phrase `put on hold' meant that the implementation of the decision has only be temporarily stayed. It is to be noted that the Central Government has not announced that the decision has been withdrawn or cancelled," she said. Reasoning for the mention of the UPA government's decision of January 6 in the Governor's address, she said the use of the words "put on hold" was the reason for its inclusion in the address.

"They (Centre) have only said that they are not implementing it for the time being until they hold consultations with their alliance partners. The Central Government has also given a detailed explanation as to why the price increase has been announced. Taken together, one is left wondering what exactly is the position. We have made our stand clear. We are opposed to the price increase and we want it withdrawn."

Ms. Jayalalithaa said the boycott of the Governor's address by the Opposition on Friday "only proves their totally negative attitude in thought, action and approach."

Since 2001 the Opposition during the address, irrespective of who the Governor may be, had resorted to a walkout citing one reason or the other. Accusing that the Opposition had never "shown the patience or decorum to sit through the Governor's address," she said the boycott on Friday was " not only disrespect to the Governor, but also showed a total disdain and disregard for democratic processes."

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